This was a very good book with an interesting twist on the usual motives and murders. What would you find in your lineage if you went back a few decades? Are you sure your descendants are what history says of them? Throw in a few murders and some pretty interesting clues to get a different kind of procedural to solve. Loved it!

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed this one the plot kept me interested until the end which is not easy, and the characters were engaging and believable. I highly recommend this book.

Fatal Family Ties

by S.C. Perkins

Lucy is a genealogist with her own business in Austin. She is tracked down at lunch by Camilla Braithwaite, one of her “three least-favorite former coworkers” at a job she held four years prior at Howland University Library in Houston. She wants Lucy to disprove an article written in Chronology magazine about her ancestor Charles Edward Braithwaite who is accused of being “a coward, a deserter, and a charlatan.”

This project turns out to be a complicated task because records from the Civil War, especially from the Confederate army, are scarce, incomplete, and often inaccurate. Lucy’s expertise is just what this job requires. It is complicated further by a mysterious triptych and the sudden death of Camilla’s Uncle Charlie who was like a grandfather to her. He and Camilla each own a panel from the art set and no one seems to know who inherited the third panel.

Fortunately, as things get dangerous, Lucy’s boyfriend, Special Agent Ben Turner of the FBI, has most of a week off. His concealed carry license, law enforcement connections, and special training help keep Lucy safe. Her associations with the art restoration world through her college friend Helen help Lucy solve the murder and the triptych mystery.

I liked all the positive characters and enjoyed watching Lucy solve this puzzling case. The “mean girls” were clearly not going to give anyone warm fuzzies, but the author did not portray them in black and white terms. There was room for growth and self-realization for two of them. Suspicion landed on various characters and the ending was a surprise. My favorite minor character was Lucy’s mom. I particularly enjoyed the way she interacted with an elderly neighbor known for her grumpiness.
Genealogy is a field that has always confused me with phrases like “second cousin twice removed on your mother’s side.” Fatal Family Ties is dependent on those relationships, but I could follow the reasoning. Lucy even explains that the term “great aunt” instead of “grandaunt” is, in fact, confusing as it does not follow the established language pattern. That made me feel better! You can learn about genealogy and its importance through this book, but it is never pedantic.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #3 in the Ancestry Detective Series, but can be read as a standalone. There is not a lot of personal character backstory to catch up on. The current mystery is the focus.

Publication: July 20, 2021—St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur)

Memorable Lines:

I certainly understood Camilla’s stress, and I had immense sympathy, but I didn’t need the attitude. If I was going to be snapped at, I deserved carbs.

“Wonders will never cease,” Mom said, and I smiled at her. I always loved how she said it as a statement she was stubbornly sure of rather than posing it as the traditional sarcastically surprised question.

“Though one thing you don’t need to change, Lucy, is your willingness to give people second chances. Too few people are open like that these days. Don’t give it up, okay?”

Lucy Lancaster is back in Austin Texas, ready to help a former co-worker discover the truth about her ancestor's Civil War background (which has been called into question by a genealogy periodical). Camilla Braithwaite, whose ancestor Charles gained fame for both speaking out about war, its' truths and for his realistic artwork of the time. When Camilla's uncle is murdered and part of a family triptych is missing, it is up to Lucy and her boyfriend, agent Ben Turner, to help discover the truth. I like that Lucy's family, both real and found, get involved with this case as the action moves between Houston and Austin.

Since I've been bitten by the genealogy bug, I find this series so satisfying. The characters are well developed, and I love the ancestral and genealogical talk. The book is full of twists and turns that will keep the reader on their toes. And did I mention my love of all Mexican food? I'm absolutely craving it when I read a book in this series.

Fatal Family Ties is a historical cozy mystery and the third book in the series by S. C. Perkins. Released 20th July 2021 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well written southern cozy with an intelligent relatable female protagonist who's a professional genealogist, trying to sort out a former coworker's ancestor's Civil War history; was he a virtuous man who fought for civil rights for his employees and supported the rights of women and minorities, or was he a Civil War deserter who defrauded others and whose life story was an elaborate lie? The plotting is engaging (if slightly overdeveloped in places) and I found the characterizations believable and appealing.

There are some descriptions of genealogy and research methods which I found interesting, and the plot threads move forward to a satisfying denouement and resolution. Although the main focus is the Civil War mystery and the intricate family interrelationships, there is also a strong subplot involving protagonist Lucy and her FBI agent boyfriend Ben. The language is clean (a few damns and nothing worse) and there's no on-page graphic violence. Although it's the third book in the series, it works fine as a standalone.

Four stars. An enjoyable cozy in a well written series. Worth a look for fans of librarian, research, and historical type cozies.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is the first book I've read in this series! I was happily surprised how quickly I got into this. I absolutely love any books with history and this mystery had me hooked from the first paragraph! I already have the first two on hold at the library!

I have enjoyed looking into my genealogy recently, so I knew I was going to be interested. In addition, the characters Lucy and Camilla were fully developed and the story was super interesting!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press, Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Fatal Family Ties finds genealogist Lucy focused on her FBI boyfriend. A former co-worker, Camillia, approaches Lucy about researching claims that Camilla's ancestor was a Confederate deserter. I was a bit concerned with how the author was going to broach the subject of the Civil War, but it was dealt with well. Camilla was annoying, and the book was a bit heavy on romance. I do enjoy the genealogy aspect which makes up for the downfalls. The mystery was good and kept me guessing until near the end. I will definitely read the next installment.

Another excellent addition to this series. Compelling, entertaining and well written.
Great characters and a plot full of twists that surprised me till the end.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Lucy, is a geneologist and one of her old coworkers who she wasn't a fan of interupts her taco meal to ask her for help. It seems one of her ancestor who faught in the civil war is being called a fraud in a newspaper article and Camilla wants Lucy to look in to it and clear her ancestors name. 

Lucy and her boyfriend Ben get involved in things and it seems a triptych that was in the family which is her first clue that has been passed down through the family is a big part of some things that happened. When Camilla's  relative is murdered it ups the stakes in trying to figure out what is going on. 

I really like this series, it's not as cozy to me as most cozies but I really like it. I think it's interesting how Lucy can find things out about the past as well as solve mysteries in the present.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

4 stars = Great! Might re-read.

Another great mystery in this series. I like the characters in this one, and the historical/genealogical pieces are always fascinating. I loved watching Lucy and Ben work together in this one. This series is a must-read for me, and I highly recommend it for mystery fans.

S.C. Perkins's Fatal Family Ties is the captivating third mystery in the Ancestry Detective series, in which Texas genealogist Lucy Lancaster deals with murders in both the past and present.

This is one of my favorite series. I love the genealogy aspect and the murders in current day and in the past. The characters are well developed with a great mystery.

Foodies take note—you will savor the detailed descriptions of dishes from Austin’s favorite Mexican restaurants in Fatal Family Ties. Sadly, due to the pandemic, Big Flaco’s Tacos is closed but perhaps it will rise again in a new incarnation. Genealogist and detective Lucy Lancaster wants to enjoy her carnitas uninterrupted but unfortunately, that isn’t in the cards for her.

I was angling my taco toward my mouth with the speed of the ravenous when a voice made me nearly fall off my barstool.



“Lucy, you have to help me!”



My taco hit my cheek instead, and juicy pork carnitas began dribbling down the left side of my face.

That Camilla Braithwaite wants her professional help is shocking to Lucy as they were never close when they worked together at Houston’s Howland University library (Lucy as a staff genealogist, Camilla one of three research librarians). However, Camilla needs Lucy’s help this time. Camilla hands Lucy an article from Chronology magazine and tells her to read it. The headline is incendiary: “THE BATTLE OF JUST PLAIN BULL. THE INFLATED LIFE AND CONTINUED LIES OF AMERICA’S LAST CIVIL WAR SOLDIER.” The Civil War corporal mentioned is Camilla’s ancestor, Charles Braithwaite. He is depicted as a phony and a deserter. When Lucy asks why she needs to read the piece, Camilla is crystal clear: “Because I need you to prove it’s not true.”

True, Lucy is a celebrated genealogist and she’s solved some mysteries in the past. Camilla wants those skills used on behalf of her family but that’s not the crux of why Camilla wants to hire her.

She cleared her throat. “Look . . . back when we worked together, you . . . cared.”



“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” I grumbled, but Camilla went on regardless.



“I saw it when people came in, wanting help with their ancestry,” she said. “You understood how the past could affect a person or their family. That what I need, someone who cares when things are sensitive.”



I blinked. That wasn’t what I expected.

We don’t always see ourselves as others do. Perhaps a genealogist from another part of America might surmise that since Charles Braithwaite was a Civil War corporal, there isn’t much to say about his war record. After all, history is written by the victors. But in Texas things are different, and Lucy Lancaster knows full well how a man comported himself in the “War of Northern Aggression” might very well affect his family generations later. She agrees to take on the case but naturally makes no promises that the Braithwaite family will like the outcome of her research.

Lucy asks Camilla for proof that Braithwaite was an honorable man, not the scoundrel depicted in the article. Beyond the family stories and a few letters, Camilla says the Braithwaite family gave all of their historic possessions to the Harry Alden Texas History Museum for a Civil War display. It’s on display now but the rumors swirling around Charles Braithwaite’s war service might lead to the exhibit being withdrawn temporarily. Rather shame-facedly, Camilla acknowledges another reason she needs Lucy’s expertise.

“But you’re right, preserving that part of his legacy isn’t the only thing that’s bothering me. There’s also someone who’s claiming Charles ruined their family,” she said. “And another person is starting a petition to have the park and elementary school renamed.” She held up the magazine and shook it. “People are starting to use these claims to disparage my family.”

Family Family Ties could scarcely be more prescient—not a day goes by in 2021 when communities don’t have difficult discussions surrounding the Civil War and how it should be remembered today. Camilla describes one last significant Braithwaite family heirloom: a triptych painting that the Alden museum didn’t want.

“Charles made a three-paneled painting of a battle scene at some point after the war ended. It’s a pretty big painting when the panels are side by side.” She held out her arms to their full extent, saying, “About six feet long by three feet high. Charles designed it so his three children would each have a third.”

Lucy is impressed. Unfortunately, one of the panels went missing during a 1988 family reunion, coincidentally the last year the reunion happened. Camilla doesn’t know where it is now but she promises to show Lucy the remaining two panels—her ailing Great-Uncle Charlie Braithwaite (there’s a Charles Braithwaite in every generation) has one and Camilla has the other. As a freelancer, Lucy really can’t justify turning down such a well-paid assignment. Plus Camilla’s story has her intrigued. So much for spending time with her beau special agent Ben Turner.

Lucy is invited to see Charlie’s panel. She and Ben arrive at Charlie’s house, expecting to visit with him and Camilla but when they enter the house, they hear a “keening noise” which turns an all-out wail. How did Charlie go downhill so quickly? When they enter Charlie’s bedroom, Ben asks Camilla why she’s holding a pillow.

“It was on his face,” she said in a whisper. “It was sort of half covering his face when I walked in. I was talking to him, but he never responded. Then I noticed he wasn’t moving. I pulled it off him, and . . .”

A dead body and a missing triptych panel—Charlie’s panel, the second of three, is nowhere to be found. Lucy Lancaster has another genealogical mystery on her hands. One where the past impacts the events and motivations of the present in surprising and sinister ways. Fatal Family Ties is an absorbing mystery that couldn’t be more topical.

Lucy is asked to check the historical record of a confederate soldier whose ancestor feels he is being maligned in an article; an uncle of her client is murdered and a part of a triptych of civil war family history has been stolen. Fatal Family Ties endanger the family and the researchers. Whodunit.

Fatal Family Ties: An Ancestry Detective Mystery
By S.C. Perkins
Minotaur Books
August 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

While dining at Austin, Texas’s Big Flacos, professional genealogist Lucy Lancaster is descended upon by the unappetizing appearance of her former coworker Camilla Braithwaite. At least Camilla was only her third least-favorite research librarian from Howland University Library, where Lucy previously worked as their staff genealogist. Camilla has come to ask her to research into the life of Charles Edward Braithwaite, Camilla’s fourth great-grandparent known as the America’s Last Civil War Soldier. Although Corporal Charles Braithwaite was renowned for supporting Black Rights candidates and opposing racial segregation laws, a journalist is publishing an exposé accusing him of being a lying deserter who profited off of speaking engagements. In addition to threats to rename the Park and the Elementary School named after Braithwaite, a Howland University PhD candidate intends to sue Camilla’s family for lost monies paid to Charles in 1925. Knowing how important family reputations and lineages are to heirs – especially for those tied to “the Late Unpleasantness” – not to mention appreciating the fees for a self-employed businesswoman, Lucy takes on the assignment for what she believes should be quickly resolved through military records and documentation.

The easy researching task soon becomes more complicated when Lucy and Camila discover the body of her Uncle Charlie – actually Camilla’s third cousin, twice removed – dead in his home. Unraveling the matter further is the valuable triptych of a battle scene painted by the first Charles Braithwaite, which while missing a panel makes it sentimental for the family. Secrets under the painting, a break-and-entering by Camilla’s ex-husband, fake texts, and loads of genealogical details make this a complicated and fascinating mystery.

Fans of genealogy and ancestral research will adore this third in the mystery series, as the procedures of tracking down family trees are made both compelling and comprehendible. That it covers the time of the Civil War only makes it more intriguing, especially as Southerners have very long memories tied to racial and family divides. Lucy’s family and friends reveal as much about Lucy’s personality as her witty narrative, not to mention her satisfying confrontation with the former library coworkers who made her feel like such an outsider. FBI agent Ben Turner continues to be the perfect boyfriend, providing advice and much-needed backup while still respecting her judgment and researching skills. Neil Patrick Housecat makes a delightful appearance as well, ensuring that this is very much a cozy mystery filled with suspense and a plethora of suspects. Now that Civil War allegiances are being re-examined and re-considered through more diverse and modern viewpoints, this mystery tackles a very timely issue in a thoughtful and still very entertaining manner.

Lucy gets talked into investigating a colleagues civil war ancestor's honor after an article names him a coward and a cheat. Find out the lengths she must go to to do that as well as protect her relationship with the handsome special agent.

I really, really love this series. Each one has recurring characters, but also lots of new ones, and the story and mystery are well thought out and not easily solved.

The Ancestry Detective series has consistently been one of my favourite cozy mystery series and part of its charm is the main character, Lucy Lancaster. Her intriguing job as a freelance genealogist makes for some really interesting reading, and has taught me a lot about family dynamics and positions (third cousin, once removed on my grandmother’s side? I now know what that actually means!)

It also makes it easier to believe that Lucy has the skills to be a a great amateur sleuth because she literally researches past “mysteries” for a living. Perkins makes Lucy’s forays into museums and libraries come alive and I’ve learned a lot about different ways that genealogists dig up old family trees.

In this third instalment we get a closer look at Lucy’s past position as genealogist at a university library. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a great time as her co-workers, Camilla, Roxie and Patrice totally “mean girl-ed” her. I liked that the three “mean girls” still had different personalities and weren’t just carbon copies of each other. They even seem to each have different motivations for being rude and bully-like to Lucy. And they weren’t drawn as over-the-top either – these ladies were completely believable and realistic. Honestly, I could almost feel Lucy’s anxiety in facing them again, even after not having had to deal with them for so long.

As for the murder mystery, the pacing really hummed along. From the start, we have the mystery of whether or not Charles Braithwaite was a civil war hero or a lying fraud. As if that wasn’t intriguing enough, family members are put in danger and a family heirloom, a very ugly painted triptych (you just KNOW there’s more to the paintings!) starts to go missing. Some heavier issues, including race relations, are also covered in this book, which isn’t surprising considering the history of the Civil War, but I think everything is handled very deftly. Personally, I don’t have any real interest in US history or the Civil War but Perkins made it very entertaining and easy to read. You can tell a lot of research went into this book as the details are just amazing.

Up until the very end, I actually couldn’t figure out if Camilla was a good guy or a bad guy. There were so many moving parts (in a good way) that the mystery was really unique and interesting. While I had guess some parts of it, there were others that completely eluded me, no matter how hard I tried to figure it out beforehand.

The dialogue between all the characters is very believable and fun to read and I especially enjoy the friendship between Lucy and her best friends/office mates, Josephine and Serena.

Speaking of Josephine (a Brit who works as a translator) and Serena (a personal shopper with a thick Texan drawl), the interaction between them and Lucy is still one of my favourite parts of the series. While we don’t see much of them in this book (they played a much larger part in the first book, Murder Once Removed), you get the feeling that they are always there for Lucy if she needs them, which is what friendship really is about. I do hope we get to see more of them in a future book though as they are a lot of fun and I love their distinct personalities. I also love that the three gals are all freelancers who have built successful businesses (I’m a freelancer myself so always admire that entrepreneurial spirit!)

We also get to see Lucy’s growing relationship with new boyfriend, Ben. Unlike so many other cozy mysteries, Ben totally supports Lucy’s sleuthing skills and while he’s part of law enforcement, he’s not part of the local police force, which gives this a different feel than a lot of other cozies where the main character is either dating or fighting with local officers.

As an aside, I totally fell in love with Lucy and Ben as a couple when Ben suggested Lucy and he team up to confront a suspect. His exact words were, “I was thinking more like a Tommy and Tuppence Beresford act.” A guy who suggests being an awesome fictional detecting couple? Yes please! (For those of you who are wondering who Tommy and Tuppence are, they’re an amateur sleuthing couple by Agatha Christie.)

Of course, no Ancestry Detective series book would be complete without a visit from Lucy’s charming rogue of a grandfather making an appearance. It’s just for a small part of the book, but it’s still memorable and I love that he also helps Lucy with her sleuthing.

Oh, word of warning, if you do pick up any of the Ancestry Detective books, I highly recommend you read them on a full stomach. If not, you’ll find yourself absolutely CRAVING Mexican food. While this isn’t a culinary cozy, Perkins really knows how to describe Lucy’s favourite eatery, Flaco’s Tacos, and its menu!

Fatal Family Ties by S. C. Perkins

In this third mystery in the Ancestry Detective series. Lucy Lancaster, a Texas genealogist, deals with murders in both the past and present.

And interesting cosy mystery. Many twists and turns in the story. Some Civil War history.. Takes place mainly in the art industry. Well-developed characters.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.